The Sheboygan Falls School District is proud to announce a significant partnership with the National Exchange Bank Foundation, marked by a generous $300,000 donation for the naming rights of the Sheboygan Falls High School football field. This donation will fund critical infrastructure improvements, ensuring a premier and safe natural grass playing surface for our student-athletes and the community.
The investment from the National Exchange Bank Foundation will be directly applied to comprehensive improvements of the high school football field, including enhanced drainage systems and updates to the natural grass playing surface. These improvements are vital for maintaining a resilient and safe playing environment, allowing the field to withstand weather challenges and heavy use while providing an authentic and high-quality game-day experience.
"We are incredibly grateful for the leadership and generosity shown by the National Exchange Bank Foundation," said Zach Pethan, Superintendent of the Sheboygan Falls School District. "Their commitment to our schools is a testament to the strong community spirit we have here in Sheboygan Falls. This donation not only provides essential funds for maintaining a high-quality natural grass field, but it also exemplifies a true community partnership that benefits our entire community. This improved facility will be a source of pride for years to come."
“This new field will provide a much safer and higher-quality playing experience for our student-athletes. It also gives our program a sense of pride and shows our community’s strong support for our team,” said Head Coach Chris Zablocki. “We are excited to continue to build lasting memories on this field, experiencing the Friday night tradition and atmosphere that makes Sheboygan Falls Football so special.”
The partnership secures the naming rights for the field for ten years. This agreement reflects the bank’s deep roots in the community and its desire to invest in the future of Sheboygan Falls’ youth and athletic programs.
"We are very excited to see this donation benefit the students, the school district, and the community! And we’d like to recognize and thank the school district for your role in facilitating the sponsorship," said Mike Heinen, Assistant Vice President of Lending for National Exchange Bank & Trust, who facilitated the request to the Foundation. "All credit should go to the Stone Family, who established the National Exchange Bank Foundation Inc. I have the privilege of working for NEBAT and the Stone Family. Witnessing their generosity is one of the rewarding aspects of the job.”
Work on the field improvements is scheduled for completion before the start of the 2027 football season. The community will be invited to a dedication ceremony to celebrate the new "National Exchange Bank and Trust Field."
About the National Exchange Bank Foundation:
National Exchange Bank Foundation Inc., originally founded as the Stone Foundation, Inc., is a private philanthropic family foundation created by the family ownership of National Exchange Bank & Trust. The Foundation supports projects, scholarships and charitable organization initiatives that demonstrate a positive impact to communities. It has a particular focus on supporting organizations that assist youth and those that provide services to fulfill basic human needs including community food pantries and action agencies.